Self-Love Through Your Five Love Languages
Imagine how you treat yourself on a daily basis as if you were another person, in a relationship with you. Are you good to yourself? Is your mind kind to your body and soul?
In my own spiritual journey, I see that at times we all:
Beat ourselves up with cruel self-talk
Set ourselves up for failure with unrealistic expectations
Deprive ourselves of things we deserve through self-sabotaging behaviors
Abuse our bodies through neglect or harmful choices
These behaviors wreak havoc on our mental and physical health, our relationships, and our careers. We must choose a different path. After years of being intentional with how I choose to care and love myself, doing my own inner work, I have realized learning how to fully accept and love yourself is part of everyone’s purpose.
For only when we are truly aligned with our own beautiful and unique spirit, can we completely and authentically give and receive real love. This is because when we love ourselves we know that we can give without becoming resentful, exhausted and depleted, and we can receive because we know we deserve it. Self-love is the prerequisite for complete immersion in the abundant flow of light and love in the world around us.
But how does one love oneself? Well an easy way is to actually use love languages on yourself. Below I’ve listed the five love languages we know so well and some ideas for each one of them that you can practice for yourself. Take your time with it and try to enjoy the moments you make for yourself.
1. Words of Affirmation: Think Self-Love
Practice daily affirmations for our thoughts precede our emotions and behaviors.
Recite mantras that encourage self-compassion which will allow you to bring your attention to being good to yourself.
Journal your strengths and everything about you for which you are grateful. Document everything you accomplish, feel good about, do right, like about yourself, etc.
Keep your self-talk positive. Turn down the volume of your inner critic and choose to be your best supporter.
2. Acts of Service: Do Self-Love
Prepare healthy meals for yourself. Put thought and effort into grocery shopping and meal preparation.
Create an organized, clean and aesthetically pleasing home environment for yourself. Love where you live, even if you are on a budget or live a minimalistic life.
Schedule regular physical, dental and mental health check-ups. Address any health concerns in a timely manner if they arise. Without your health, you have nothing.
Groom yourself with love and care. Put yourself together so that you feel like the beautiful person that you are.
3. Receiving Gifts: Absorb Self-Love
Buy only what you love. Don't allow things in your home and closet that don't bring you positive vibrations. (While you're at it, purge that which does not bring you joy.)
Gift yourself with an experience on your bucket list. Budget it out and plan it.
Invest in your education and advancement. Want to pursue a higher degree? Take a cooking class? Learn how to be a yoga instructor? Do the research, apply for grants and scholarships, volunteer to learn new skills. Gift yourself with knowledge.
Treat yourself to the wisdom and perspective gained from travel when it is safe to do so.
4. Quality Time: Be Present with Self-Love
Set aside time for daily mindfulness practices such as meditation, deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation. These devotions will help you connect with your highest self.
Make time for leisure and hobbies. Time for play and enjoyment is an important aspect of celebrating the gift of life.
Prioritize sleep and exercise. Remember to reboot and revitalize your physical being.
Do not over-schedule, over-book or over-commit. Do not do it to yourself.
5. Physical Touch: Feel Self-Love
Stretch your muscles and give yourself a massage with a foam roller. Relax into your body.
Release toxins by taking a hot bath with epsom salts. Release the stress and soak in the love.
Moisturize your skin with lotions or oils. As you touch your skin, thank each body part for all it does for you.
Give yourself a spa treatment: manicure, pedicure, facial, deep conditioning treatment, etc. Know you are worth extraordinary care.
MASTURBATE! Yes, I said it because it is normal to do so and it allows you to really learn your body in an intimate way.
Now that you have some ideas for each love language, how are you going to take what you’ve read and apply it to your life? What do you do to practice self-love? I'd love to know!
